Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the large turn out of party members at Thursday’s ward congresses in Adamawa State, the first ever since the formation of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, was historic and a clear manifestation of a yearning for democracy by the people.
Abubakar, who keenly monitored the process, said: “The recorded turn-out in some wards was far in excess of that seen in general elections in the state.
“It is a clear indication that people want democracy.”
The former vice president said it was wrong of the state government or anyone for that matter to subvert the yearnings of the people for a free and fair election in the running of their party affairs.
He said: “The right to freedom of association is a right protected by the constitution that can not be whimsically taken away to serve the convenience of an individual or any group.”
Abubakar said the peaceful conduct of the election throughout the state had clearly shown that there was absolutely no basis other than politics for the security alarm raised by the state government.
Abubakar praised the Adamawa State Caretaker Committee as well the National Working Committee of the PDP for their forthrightness and courage by first allowing elections as against consensus arrangements, and then going ahead with the vote in spite of blackmail.
He said the future of the PDP lay in strict adherence to democratic values and principles.
He said without these, the ruling party would just be another tool in the hands of dictators.
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